2008 Football League Championship play-off final

Association football match in London December 2017 December 2017 2008 Football League Championship play-off final PO final 08 crests.JPG 200 The crests of Bristol City and Hull City, prior to the match Bristol City 0 Hull City 1 24 May 2008 Wembley Stadium London Dean Windass Alan Wiley 86,703 Sunny 2007 2009 The 2008 Football League Championship play-off final was an association football match which was played on 24 May 2008 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Hull City and Bristol City. The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football, to the Premier League. The top two teams of the 2007–08 Football League Championship season gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table partook in play-off semi-finals; Hull City ended the season in third position while Bristol City finished fourth. The winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2008–09 season in the Premier League. Winning the game was estimated to be worth up to £60million to the successful team. The 2008 final, refereed by Alan Wiley, was watched by a crowd of more than 86,000 people, in sunny and bright conditions. The match was won by Hull City 1–0, with the only goal of the game coming from Dean Windass in the first half. It was the first time that Hull City would play in the top tier of English football in their club's 104-year history. Hull City ended the next season in 17th place in the Premier League, one point above relegation. Bristol City finished the following season in 10th place, thirteen points outside the play-offs. Route to the final 2007–08 Football League Championship main WDL Q right auto Football League Championship final table, leading positions WBA West Bromwich Albion STK Stoke City HUL Hull City BRI Bristol City CRY Crystal Palace WAT Watford 23 12 11 88 55 21 16 9 69 55 21 12 13 65 47 20 14 12 54 53 18 17 11 58 42 18 16 12 62 56 complete Hull City finished the regular 2007–08 season in third place in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system, one point and one place ahead of Bristol City. Both therefore missed out on the two automatic places for promotion to the Premier League and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the third promoted team. Hull City finished four points behind Stoke City (who were promoted in second place) and six behind league winners West Bromwich Albion.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-championship/2008/ League Championship end of season table for 2007–08 season 11v11.com 21 May 2020 AFS Enterprises https://int.soccerway.com/national/england/championship/2007-2008/regular-season Soccerway 21 May 2020 Championship – 2007/08 – regular season Bristol City faced Crystal Palace in their play-off semi-final, the first leg of which took place at Selhurst Park on 10 May 2008. After a goalless first half, Louis Carey put City into the lead before he fouled José Fonte to concede a late penalty which was converted by Ben Watson. In injury time, David Noble's strike from 30 yd beat Julián Speroni in the Palace goal, and the match ended 2–1 to City. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7381811.stm Ian Hughes 10 May 2008 BBC Sport 21 May 2020 Crystal Palace 1–2 Bristol City The second leg, played at Ashton Gate, took place three days later. Palace took the lead and levelled the tie on aggregate through a Watson goal midway through the first half. His second-half penalty struck the post and no further goals were scored in regular time, taking the match into extra time. Lee Trundle scored towards the end of the first half and Michael McIndoe doubled City's advantage in the second half. The match finished 2–1 to City and they progressed to the final with a 4–2 aggregate victory. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7393740.stm Phil Harlow BBC Sport 21 May 2020 13 May 2008 Bristol City 2–1 Crystal Palace (agg 4–2) In the other play-off semi-final, Hull City's opponents were Watford, with the first leg being played at Vicarage Road on 11 May 2008. Watford's Danny Shittu had an early goal disallowed and shortly after, Nick Barmby put Hull City ahead, with a sidefooted shot from a Fraizer Campbell pass. Campbell then hit the post from an Andy Dawson cross, but the rebound was picked up and guided into an empty net by Dean Windass, doubling Hull's lead. With thirty minutes of the match remaining, the referee Kevin Friend showed John Eustace a straight red card for an infraction after a tackle. Shittu was then substituted with an unspecified injury and the match ended 2–0. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7381815.stm BBC Sport 21 May 2020 11 May 2008 Andrew McKenzie Watford 0–2 Hull The second leg was played at the KC Stadium three days later. Darius Henderson opened the scoring on 12 minutes to halve Watford's deficit across the legs, but Barmby equalised before half time. Second-half goals from Caleb Folan, Richard Garcia and Nathan Doyle ensured a dominant win for Hull, 4–1 on the day and 6–1 on aggregate. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7393756.stm Phil McNulty Phil McNulty BBC Sport 21 May 2020 14 May 2008 Hull 4–1 Watford (agg 6–1) Hull CityRoundBristol CityOpponentResultLegsSemi-finalsOpponentResultLegsWatford 6–1 2–0 away; 4–1 homeCrystal Palace4–22–1 away; 2–1 home Match Background This was Bristol City's first Championship play-off final, but they had been losing finalists in the 1988 Football League Third Division play-off final, contested over two legs, and the 2004 Football League Second Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium. https://web.archive.org/web/20161009214128/https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9864357/play-off-final-history-stats https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9864357/play-off-final-history-stats 9 October 2016 25 May 2015 Sporting Life 3 May 2020 Play-Off Final History & Stats https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2016/may/walsalls-play-off-history/ Walsall F.C. 21 May 2020 Walsall's Play-off History Daniel Briggs 14 May 2016Bristol City 0–1 Brighton https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3750777.stm BBC Sport 30 May 2004 21 May 2020 Hull's only play-off experience came in the 2001 Third Division playoffs where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Leyton Orient. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1332280.stm Orient see off Hull challenge 16 May 2001 22 May 2020 BBC Sport During the regular season, the two sides played out a goalless draw at the KC Stadium in November 2007, while Bristol City won their home game 2–1. https://www.11v11.com/teams/bristol-city/tab/matches/season/2008/ 11v11.com AFS Enterprises 21 May 2020 Bristol City football club match record: 2008 Bristol City had not lost a competitive match against Hull since 1985. Hull City had never played in the highest tier of English football, while Bristol City last featured in the top division during the 1979–80 Football League First Division season.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/24/championship.bristolcity2 Josh Widdicombe Josh Widdicombe The Guardian Bristol City 0–1 Hull City – as it happened 24 May 2008 23 May 2020 Campbell was Hull's highest scorer with fifteen goals during the regular season, followed by Windass on eleven, while Dele Adebola was Bristol City's top marksman with ten. The match was reported to be worth around £60million to the winning team. The referee for the game was Alan Wiley of the Staffordshire Football Association. Before kick-off, both teams were presented to former Conservative Member of Parliament and Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney. Hull City's starting line-up remained unchanged from their semi-final second leg, while Bristol City's Jamie McCombe was ill and had to be replaced by Liam Fontaine. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7418537.stm BBC Sport 22 May 2020 Bristol City 0–1 Hull Andrew McKenzie 24 May 2008 First half right|thumb|alt=Dean Windass|Dean Windass (pictured in 2009) scored the only goal of the game. Hull City kicked the game off around 3p.m. in front of a Wembley crowd of 86,703, https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7416502.stm Bristol City 0–1 Hull City BBC Sport 28 May 2020 Phil McNulty Phil McNulty in bright, sunny conditions. Their first attack saw Richard Garcia's shot fly high and wide of the Bristol City goal. At the other end, Adebola's shot was saved by Hull's goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Bristol City were more dominant in the early stages and in the 17th minute, Adebola's pass found Nick Carle on the edge of the penalty area but his shot went narrowly wide. Garcia then headed a Sam Ricketts cross over Adriano Basso's goal. Midway through the half, Windass' chip from a Dawson cross landed on the roof of the net. In the 38th minute, Hull City took the lead. Adebola lost possession allowing Hull to counter attack, with Campbell's accurate cross being volleyed into the Bristol City goal from the edge of the area. A clash of head between Barmby and Bradley Orr resulted in a prolonged stop in play while the latter received treatment, including oxygen, for a suspected fractured cheekbone. Unable to continue, Orr was stretchered off with a neck brace in place, and substituted by Lee Johnson. After ten minutes of additional time, the referee Alan Wiley blew his whistle to signify the end of the first half, with Hull holding a 1–0 lead. Second half Bristol City got the second half underway and almost immediately, Carle's shot went wide. Soon after, Ricketts was adjudged to have handled the ball, allowing Noble a chance with a direct free kick but it was saved by Myhill. At the other end, a Garcia free kick was gathered by Bosso. McIndoe's free kick was deflected wide and the resulting corner was headed past the post by Trundle. In the 63rd minute, Bristol City made their second substitution of the afternoon, with Ivan Sproule coming on for Noble. Four minutes later, Hull made their first change of the match as Barmby was replaced by Craig Fagan and soon after Windass was substituted for Caleb Folan. In the 74th minute, Trundle's shot was saved by Myhill before a long-range strike from McIndoe was also stopped by the Hull goalkeeper. With 14 minutes of regular time remaining, Bristol City made their final change, with Darren Byfield replacing Carle. Sproule's foul on Fagan drew the first yellow card of the game in the 78th minute. Garcia's half-volley was struck straight at Bosso before Folan's shot was deflected. On 85 minutes, Myhill's weak punch allowed Trundle an opportunity to level the match but his shot was blocked by Michael Turner. Byfield then went close twice, but his header was over the Hull bar and his shot wide of the post. There were four minutes of additional time indicated, and with a minute remaining, Campbell received a booking for a foul on Fontain, before being replaced by Dean Marney. The game ended 1–0 to Hull who were promoted the top tier of English football for the first time in the club's 104-year history. Details 24 May 2008 15:00 (BST) Bristol City 0–1 (Report) Hull City Windass 38 Wembley Stadium, London 86,703 Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) _bristolc0708h _bristolc0708h _bristolc0708h _bristolc0708h _bristolc0708hl CC0000 CC0000 CC0000 FFFFF CC0000 Bristol City _hull0708h _hull0708h _hull0708h _orangestripe 000000 000000 Hull City GK 1 BRA Adriano BassoRB 2 ENG Bradley Orr 45+3CB 6 SCO Louis Carey (c)CB 4 ENG Liam FontaineLB 3 SCO Jamie McAllisterRM 8 SCO David Noble 63CM 25ENG Marvin ElliottCM 10AUS Nick Carle 76LM 11SCO Michael McIndoeCF 35Nigeria Dele AdebolaCF 23ENG Lee TrundleSubstitutes:GK 13ENG Chris WealeDF 19HUN Tamás VaskóMF 33ENG Lee Johnson 45+3MF 29NIR Ivan Sproule 77 63FW 34JAM Darren Byfield 76Manager:ENG Gary Johnson GK 1 WAL Boaz MyhillRB 21WAL Sam RickettsCB 15ENG Wayne BrownCB 6 ENG Michael TurnerLB 3 ENG Andy DawsonRM 14AUS Richard GarciaCM 4 ENG Ian Ashbee (c)CM 11ENG Bryan HughesLM 8 ENG Nick Barmby 67CF 25ENG Fraizer Campbell 90+3 90+3CF 9 ENG Dean Windass 71Substitutes:GK 12ENG Matt DukeDF 2 ENG Nathan DoyleMF 22ENG Dean Marney 90+3FW 18IRL Caleb Folan 71FW 23ENG Craig Fagan 67Manager:ENG Phil Brown Match rules: https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-5--fixtures/ English Football League 28 May 2020 Section 5 – Fixtures 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level. Five named substitutes. Maximum of three substitutions. Statistics +StatisticsHull head for Premier League http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=241425&cc=5739 24 May 2008 20 May 2012 ESPN https://archive.today/20120713174722/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=241425&cc=5739 13 July 2012 Bristol City Hull CityTotal shots 21 11Shots on target 13 4Ball possession 49% 51%Corner kicks 2 1Fouls committed 17 11Offsides 3 1Yellow cards 1 1Red cards 0 0 Post-match Hull City manager Phil Brown said "It is very fitting that Dean Windass got the winning goal, I think it was written in the Gods that it would be Dean Windass or Nicky Barmby who would get the winner today.". Goalscorer Windass said that "It feels unbelievable. I don't think there is anyone left in Hull today looking at how many supporters we've got here." Hull City chairman Paul Duffen said "This is fantastic, I think it's amazing. It is something which means a lot to the city of Hull." Bristol City manager Gary Johnson congratulated Hull, and said that Bristol City would "bounce back" in the following years. Bristol City chairman Stephen Lansdown said that "It's been a great day out for Bristol City football club – it doesn't feel like it at the moment but the future's there and I think we've shown over the last few weeks what this football club can achieve." https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7418807.stm BBC Sport 22 May 2020 26 May 2008 Bristol City 0–1 Hull Hull City ended the next season in 17th place in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. https://www.11v11.com/teams/hull-city/tab/leagueTables/2009/ Premier League table at close of 2008–09 season 11v11.com 22 May 2020 AFS Enterprises Bristol City finished the following season in 10th place, thirteen points outside the play-offs. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-championship/2009/ League Championship table at close of 2009–10 season 11v11.com 22 May 2020 AFS Enterprises References Category:EFL Championship play-off finals Play-off Final 2008 Play-off Final 2008 1 Play-off Final Football League Championship play-off final Football League Championship play-off final